Page 16 of Unveil

“So, you really had no idea he was going to propose?”

“Of course, I didn’t,” I snap. “Did you?”

His brow lifts. “You think Dad or I would’ve okay’d that? I know Dad likes the Thrashers, but I don’t buy his white knight act for a second. And Dad only likes him?—”

“Because I don’t like him,” I groan. “I know.”

“Well, consider that goodwill gone.” Dad approaches with Momma on his arm.

He wears all black but for an owl mask and a skeleton ribcage costume beneath his cape. Momma’s bronze and navy gown sparkles under the twinkling lights and matches the feathers pinned into her updo. She’s stunning, and once again, she’s the moon and I’m a mere shadow in her orbit.

It’s not just her looks, though. She’s self-assured in ways I’ll never be, and graceful, like the spotlight’s always on her. If I’m not en pointe, I’ve got all the confidence and finesse of a baby bird falling out of a nest. There’s no way I’ll fly if I keep getting lost in the moon.

I blink that depressing thought away and try to grin at them. But they greet me with stiff postures and hardened expressions, and I highly doubt theirSwan Lakecostumes are to blame.

Like Nox, they’re clearly gearing up for a heart-to-heart. That’s the last thing I want when I’m happily wallowing alone.After years of practiced avoidance, playing it off is my go-to defense mechanism to keep myself from combusting.

As soon as they leave, I’m doing it. That’s my deadline. We chat, laugh, avoid, then I break up with my ‘fiancé.’

Momma lets go of Dad to take my hand. “Do you know what made him propose? And so publicly? I knew you liked him, but… not enough, right?”

“No, not enough. He’s so…blah,” I sigh, then smirk wickedly. “Why can’t guys be like they were back in your day when kidnapping was all the rage?”

The unscarred side of Dad’s face scowls to a comical degree. “This isn’t a joke, Luna.”

Momma plants her hands on her hips. “And that was absolutely a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ situation, young lady. You’re incorrigible.”

“I prefer sassy, but toe-may-toe, toe-mah-toe, and all that.”

Try as I might to keep the banter as just that, my stomach twists. The joke is one of those that’s laced with truth. As much as I want out of my parents’ shadows, I’ve seen how they look at each other, filled with love, compassion, and something deeper. Their souls are forever entwined in a pas de deux, a dance so seamless one can’t move without the other. Compared to that, Zy and I might as well be strangers.

Momma takes my hand again and pats it like she can read my mind. “We’ll figure this out, okay?”

“She’s right,” Dad agrees. “As soon as the festivities are over?—”

“As soon as the festivities areover?” I yelp, panic thrumming through me, all pretenses gone as I cross my arms. “Screw the ‘festivities.’ How about right now? What’s going on? And why were you in box six while I was stuck center stage having my life ruined under a spotlight?”

“I had a meeting concerning Troisgarde matters.” His lips thin. “The details of which you’ve refused to participate in.”

I open my mouth to argue, but nothing comes out. Dad continues in my silence.

“I’ve respected that decision,ma luné. However, that means tonight’s not the night to delve into those details. What I’ll say is this engagement couldn’t have come at a better time. Celebrate tonight. Come dawn, I’ll explain everything.”

He’s right, and it’s my fault. I’ve always played the rebellious ringleader, but that impulsive, devil-may-care attitude has gotten me helicopter parents who treat me like I’m fragile the moment things go sideways. To them, I’m the baby of the family, and not just by seven minutes.

So I do what I’m best at, apparently. I throw a tantrum like a child.

“Screw that. I promised myself I wouldn’t celebrate my birthday with someone who doesn’t care about me. I’m telling him tonight.”

“No. You’re not,” Dad says firmly. “You could’ve avoided this if you’d have let me ship you off to Italy like the Lucianos offered.”

“I wasn’t going to miss my showcase! This was my last dance with my friends.”

He raises his hand, calming me, but just barely. “Since youdidn’tleave, you’ll have to play the part tonight. I don’t want to ruin your night,ma luné, but you have to trust me.”

“But—”

“No buts. I’ll explain tomorrow. Tonight, try to have fun, okay?”